We peruse the daily news both electronic and print and it seems our murder rate is not reducing and crime detection has been lagging below average. Our police officers have been on courses both overseas and local,with expectation that policing will improve. The question has it improved? The answer in my humble opinion is no and the problem is bad attitude. It appears that their interest lie in data collection for statistics and not proper investigation.
On Saturday 20th June 2020 around 3:30 pm, on Duncan Street, Port of Spain I had the experience of two police officers well fortified with small and large arms and clad bullet proof vest in their possession etc, doing the initial investigation of a road traffic accident where both vehicles were extensively damaged. I, who spent thirty five years in the Police Service, with 90 per cent being of those years in investigations, was appalled.
There are certain requirements when investigating a road traffic accident, first you put at the back of the head as an investigator that 99 per cent of the time the accident would not have occurred in your presence, so your job begins after the fact. The investigator checks the scene for the injured, traffic signage, debris, brakes impression,damages done to both vehicles to verify if it is consistent to what was reported to you, measurements if required, finally interviewing both drivers and independent witnesses.
When a question was asked about their approach in this investigation, both drivers were informed that in road accidents today measurements are only taken where and when there is a fatality and I the writer views is longtime policing, they today’s do no do that anymore. Although it is clearly written in the Police Service Act as of the today, what is expected of an investigator.
I will end with the guiding words of Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr. David Jack, in any investigation: “do it properly for you know not, how far it may reach.”
Athelston Clinton
Arima
via email